Pipette sampler and related apparatus

Abstract

An improved pipette device for removing and transferring a plurality of liquid samples to and from a multi-well tray is disclosed. The pipette device comprises the housing having an elongated plate defining a first chamber therein. A patterned array of collector conduits are joined to the plate such that a first outwardly extending section extends into the chamber and a second outwardly extending section, in flow communication with the first, extends away from the chamber and toward the tray. A port is formed on the housing such that a vacuum can be created in the first chamber whereby a predetermined quantity of liquid is caused to flow into each of the collector conduits. The conduits are designed to contain decreasingly smaller volumes to allow precise measure of the contained volume when the conduits are filled.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pipette sampler for removing a plurality of liquid samples from a multi-well tray, comprising: a generally rectangular housing having a top member, side and end members;   a generally flat, rectangular plate having a depending skirt integrally formed therewith, said plate along with said top, side and end members of said housing defining a first chamber;   a patterned array of microliter collector conduits integrally formed on said plate, each said conduit having a first lower portion and second upper coaxial portion, said second upper portion in flow communication with said first chamber and having inclined walls integral with and extending away from said plate, and said first lower portion depending away from said second portion and said plate, and configured for insertion into said multi-well tray; and further wherein the area for fluid flow in said first portion is larger than the area for fluid flow in said second portion, and the opening for fluid in said second portion is sized such that precise filling of each said conduit is encouraged while substantially precluding fluid from overflowing out of said conduit in said housing; and   means for forming a vacuum in said first chamber whereby a predetermined quantity of liquid flows into each said collector conduit.   
     
     
       2. A pipette sampler according to claim 1 wherein said housing is integrally formed with said plate. 
     
     
       3. A pipette sampler according to claim 1 wherein said sampler is made of plastic. 
     
     
       4. A pipette sampler according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum forming means comprises a port in flow communication with said first chamber. 
     
     
       5. The pipette sampler according to claim 1 wherein the internal diameter for flow in said first portion is about 0.88 inches ±20%. 
     
     
       6. A pipette sampler for removing a plurality of liquid samples from a multi-well tray, comprising: an integral, one-piece housing having a top member, and side and end members;   a generally flat plate integrally formed with said side and end members, said plate along with said top, side and end members defining a first manifold chamber;   a matrix array of elongated microliter collector conduits with a first portion of each conduit extending from a first side of said plate and configured to be inserted into an associated well on said multi-well tray, and a second portion extending from a second, opposite side of said plate into said first manifold chamber, said first and second portions having co-axial openings for fluid flow, said opening for fluid flow in said first portion being larger than said opening for fluid flow in said second portion, and said opening for fluid flow in said second portion being sized such that precise filling of each said conduit is encouraged while substantially precluding fluid from overflowing out of said conduit into said housing; and   a port on said housing in flow communication with said first chamber whereby a vacuum can be created in said first chamber causing a predetermined quantity of liquid to flow into each said collector conduit.   
     
     
       7. A pipette sampler according to claim 6 wherein said second portion of each said collector conduit has inclined walls integrally formed with and extending away from said plate. 
     
     
       8. The pipette sampler according to claim 6 wherein the internal diameter for flow in said first portion is about 0.88 inches ±20%. 
     
     
       9. In a pipette sampler apparatus having a multi-well tray and means for mounting said sampler apparatus adjacent said tray, the improvement wherein said sampler apparatus comprises a generally rectangular, integral housing having a top member, side and end member; a generally rectangular flat plate integrally formed with said side and end members, said plate along with said top, side and end members defining a first manifold chamber;   a matrix array of elongated, microliter collector conduits integrally formed on said plate with a first portion of each conduit configured to be inserted into an associated well on said multi-well tray, and a second portion extending into said first manifold chamber, said first and second portions have co-axial openings for fluid flow, and wherein the opening for fluid flow in said first portion is larger than the opening for fluid flow in said second portion, and the opening for fluid flow in said second portion is sized such that precise filling of each said conduit is encouraged while substantially precluding fluid from overflowing said conduit into said housing, and   a port on said housing in flow communication with said first chamber whereby a vacuum can be created in said first chamber causing a predetermined quantity of liquid to flow into each said collector conduit.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to claim 9 further including a suction pump joined to said port for forming a vacuum in said first chamber. 
     
     
       11. The pipette sampler according to claim 9 wherein the internal diameter for flow in said first portion is about 0.88 inches ±20%.